Close Ad

Driver Notices First Grader Crying at the Bus Stop - Jumps Into Action When He Learns the Reason Why
Bus Driver Buys Clothes for Disappointed First Grader on School Pajama Day
Uplifting News

Driver Notices First Grader Crying at the Bus Stop - Jumps Into Action When He Learns the Reason Why

This man proves bus drivers are so much more than chauffeurs.

When you’re a kid, theme days at school are a big deal. They’re a chance to dress up in something special and break from your regular routine, all while showing your classmates a side of your personality that you might not always bring to school.  

So when you aren’t able to participate in one, it can also be a big deal. That happened to one kid in Kentucky recently, but luckily, his bus driver stepped in to save the day.


A Disappointed Student

a man with a little boy in front of a school bus

One day, a first-grade student named Levi was waiting for the school bus. As the driver, Larry Farrish Jr., approached the stop, he noticed something was different about the boy.

“I pulled up to the bus stop, and I saw Levi sitting down by himself with his head down, and it dawned on me, something is wrong,” Farrish told Jefferson County Public School in a blog post. “He’s always happy, but this particular day, he was not happy.”

When Farrish asked what was wrong, he noticed Levi was crying. The boy explained that he didn’t have pajamas for pajama day.

“It hurt me so bad,” Farrish added. “That just wasn’t my Levi, and I wanted him to have a good day. No child should have to miss out on something as small as pajama day.”

Determined to Do Some Kindness

Farrish knew he had to do something, so after he dropped Levi off at school and finished the morning bus run, he headed over to the nearby dollar store. There, he grabbed several pairs of pajamas in different sizes and drove back to the school.

He asked the office if they could call Levi down, and that’s when both his and Farrish’s days took a major turn.

“I saw Levi coming down the hall, and he had a face just as happy as could be,” Farrish recalled. “It really turned the whole Friday around, for him and for me.”

As for the first-grader, he was over the moon.

“I can tell Mr. Larry is nice and his heart is filled with joy,” Levi said. “I’m usually really happy, but not on pajama day… When he got me the pajamas, I did a happy cry.”

More Than a Driver

Farris has been a bus driver for about seven years now, but he sees himself as more than a driver. He feels that his position allows him to connect with kids and make a real difference in their lives, and he takes the job pretty seriously.

“They become my kids after they leave their parents,” Farrish continued in the blog post. “I make sure they get to and from school safe, but I also try to bring some type of joy to their lives.”

That could mean playing games or telling jokes or something like a special handshake between him and the students. Or, in the case of Levi, grabbing some extra pajamas so that all kids have the chance to participate in a theme day.

“It feels good knowing I made an impact on a child’s life,” he added.

Little Acts of Kindness

One reason this story is so touching is because it reminds us what a big difference a small act can make in someone else’s life. It also reminds us that while we often think of teachers as the ones who impact our children while they’re at school, there is a whole village looking out for them.

Lastly, this story reminds us that we’re an essential part of that village, too. Whether we have kids or not, remember to practice kindness and lead with empathy, especially when it comes to kids. Doing so can make a big difference in how they grow up. Not only do kids learn by example, but when they know they’re loved they really do thrive.

So make the goofy faces, practice the secret handshakes, or just be a safe space for anyone who needs it. You never know how much it may mean to someone down the line.

Hot Stories

Why Paul Walker Left His Only Daughter With Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel & Paul Walker were more than just friends, they were …

content.jwplatform.com

When the tragic news of Paul Walker's death surfaced, the world was left in shock. As one of the most beloved stars of the Fast and Furious franchise, his passing was felt deeply by fans around the globe. But perhaps the most devastating impact was felt by his daughter, Meadow Walker, who was left without a father.

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
cracker barrel waitress in tears
Cracker Barrel Server Left in Shock After a Group of Diners Leave Her a $1,200 Tip (1)

There are many mixed opinions when it comes to tipping. But the reality is that many servers rely on tips to make a decent living, working hard to ensure customer satisfaction with each and every meal.

But even the best of servers don’t expect their patrons to go above and beyond like this group of diners did one day in Georgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his parents Randi and Pat
Archive

Make no mistake about it: Patrick Mahomes is the face of the NFL. The Tyler, Texas native is the son of Pat Mahomes, a former Major League Baseball player, and Randi Martin.

He burst onto the scene in 2018 when he made history by throwing 50 touchdown passes and 5,000 yards in a single season — a record he shares with Peyton Manning. He followed up his initial success by leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an incredible victory at Super Bowl LIV. If that wasn’t enough, he carried the team through to yet another Super Bowl the very next year, though they ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mahomes has gone to two more Super Bowls since and he's won back-to-back titles (2023 and 2024).

Keep ReadingShow less
Family